Fix iTunes 3194 Error while Downgrading iOS 5 Using TinyUmbrella

Hi to all, I got my iPhone 4 upgraded to iOS 5 last week and since I have a saved iOS 4.2.1 SHSH blobs, so I tried to downgrade it using TinyUmbrella but I always end up in iTunes error 3194. I know that it can be fixed by tweaking the HOSTS file, but I am not sure how to do it. Please help. Thanks.

Asked by: Stevie from Boston, Massachusets

Hello Stevie, tweaking or editing iTunes HOSTS file in order to bypass iTunes error 3194 when downgrading iPhone firmware is as easy as 1-2-3. All you have to do is direct your iTunes to Saurik’s Cydia Server. Anyway, you can check the tutorial posted below on how to do it:

How to Edit HOSTS File on Windows:

Step 1: Launch Notepad or any text editing tool. Now, launch windows explorer or press Windows + E, navigate to C:WindowsSystem32driversetc and then in ETC directory open the HOSTS file with Notepad.

Step 2: Add 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com to the end of HOSTS file and then save it.

How to Edit HOSTS File on Mac:

Step 1: Click on Go -> Go to Folder and then enter path /etc

Step 2: Open HOSTS file via TextEdit or any text editing tools and then add 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com at the end of the file.

Then follow this guide to downgrade your iPhone on iOS 5 back to iOS 4.2.1 using TinyUmbrella. However, you should be noted that some iPhone jailbreakers who downgrade their devices from iOS 5 back to iOS 4.3.x or iOS 4.2.x were experiencing “No Service” issue. If you get this error, I would recommend you to restore your iPhone back to iOS 5 and then jailbreak it using Redsn0w 0.9.9b8 as there’s no fix for this error at the moment.